Somehow things with her just seemed to click and he knew what she wanted and expected of him. He'd never had that before in a relationship and it was something he really enjoyed. Not that they were in a relationship - one date does not make a relationship.
He followed her and then pulled into the parking spot next to her in the little apartment complex. She got out and flashed him a smile over the top of her beater car. “That was flawless. I'm impressed,” she said.
“So how has your day?” he asked as they fell into step and walked shoulder to shoulder toward her apartment.
She nodded, glancing up at him. “I can't really complain. I mean, the part with Devon at the end there wasn't particularly pleasant, but it's a job. How was your day?”
“Long. Difficult. Having a power struggle with an investor that isn't any fun for anyone in the company. I don't like it when people make things messy.” Though he was surprised that he had opened up about a struggle he was facing, he had a feeling that Kaitlyn wouldn't mind.
“I also don’t enjoy when people make things messy. How did you know that I would need you to step up as my knight in shining armor and rescue me?”
Carter liked the teasing smile on her lips.
“Oh, trust me, my armor is not shining; it has seen a lot of battles. I had the nagging feeling he wouldn't let losing you at auction go.” They walked up the concrete steps and down the hallway toward her door.
Despite the rain they'd had the previous night, today had been bright and sunshiny, although not overly warm. With the sun on the verge of setting, the sky and clouds were lit up a brilliant shade of gold and pink and she stopped to admire the view a moment, resting her arms on the balcony railing. He stood beside her, wondering how long it had been since he stopped and stared at a sunset.
“I'm glad to see you again.” She smiled up at him.
“I'm not sure what I'm doing, but I'm enjoying it.” He didn’t want to fill her head with promises or dreams that he couldn't hold true on and being as upfront and honest with her as possible every step of the way seemed like the smartest avenue to take. And Carter definitely wanted to be smart about whatever it was pulling them together.
“I'm not sure either, but I'm the kind of person to ride it out and see where it goes. Some of the best things in life are the things you don't plan.” She covered her hand with his, her warm fingers heating up more than just his skin.
Carter nodded. “I like that philosophy.”
“Do you want to come in?” She turned to face the door, her mouth asking the question, but her body warning him she would go inside whether or not he stayed.
“I'd love to, thank you.”
She hesitated at the door and stared at the vase of flowers that he’d assumed were hers. After what seemed like a long internal debate, she picked them up, unlocked the door and swung it open wide and stepped over the threshold, giving him a flirty glance over her shoulder as she did. Carter followed her inside, taking in the slightly shabby chic look at the place.
She walked the flowers over to the trash and dumped them in, water and all, and Carter caught sight of a card tucked into them. No doubt Devon’s latest attempt to win her over. He doubted she spent much money on decor, but the place felt comfortable, lived in, and warm. He liked that, even though her place was a far cry from his. “This is a nice place you have here.”
The wide-open living room showed off large windows that let in lots of natural light. Her color theme seemed to favor warm tones and the scent of something delicious and fruity clung to the air, making his mouth water.
“Would you like a cup of coffee or something?” she asked, spinning in place to face him. She shrugged her shoulders and pulled her jacket off, dropping it in a heap on a tan ottoman. The move accentuated her chest and he looked away.
“I'm not ashamed of my body or people looking at it,” she said.
“I don't think you should be ashamed, and I'm very appreciative of what I see; however, you have a profound effect on me and my obvious reaction might make our time together a little awkward.” He'd never said anything so forthcoming to someone before and doubted anyone had been as open with him as she’d been.
She let out that dusky laugh he loved hearing so much. “Oh, honey, if you think an erection makes me uncomfortable, you have another thing coming. But I’m parched, so I’m going to get a glass of water.”
The sway of her hips had him staring and Carter shook his head as if to rattle some sense back into himself as he followed her into the kitchen. “So do you have visitors often?”
She took a glass out of the cabinet and glanced at him out of the corner of her eyes, hesitating for a second. “Are you asking if I bring a lot of men home?” A smile teased the corners of her lips and Carter was quick to fix her incorrect assumption of what he was asking.
“Not at all. I hate small talk, but I can't seem to stop myself.” He hadn't actually dated a woman in a long time. His preferred go-to with women was a mutually-agreed on one night and then move on. No strings attached, no feelings, no mess, no stress. And certainly, no small talk.
“You're just bad at this, and I think it's kind of cute.” A real smile flirted with her lips and she filled her glass before taking a long drink, her delicate throat flexing with every swallow.
Carter nodded. “That's fair. I accept that. I'm bad at this.”
She lowered the nearly-empty cup from her lips. “When's the last time you were in a relationship?”
“About six years. I usually only spend one night with a woman before moving on to the next.”
Her eyebrows lifted and her lips parted as she gave her head a slight nod. “How very honest of you. I appreciate that. I have never been in a serious relationship. Too busy, too many plans with my life to waste time.”